The senior pastor and founder of Gateway Church in Texas, Robert Morris, has resigned following allegations of sexual abuse by a woman dating back to the 1980s. The church's board of elders announced the acceptance of Morris' resignation and initiated an independent review to investigate the events from 1982 to 1987.
The allegations surfaced after a woman, identified as Cindy Clemishire, came forward stating that Morris had sexually abused her starting when she was 12 years old. Clemishire recounted that the abuse began in 1982 when Morris, who was a traveling preacher at the time, stayed at her family's home in Oklahoma. She detailed instances of inappropriate touching that continued for approximately four-and-a-half years.
In response to the allegations, Morris admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in his early 20s, clarifying that it involved kissing and petting but not intercourse. The church's board acknowledged that they were previously unaware of the full extent of the relationship between Morris and the victim, including her age at the time and the duration of the abuse.
Gateway Church, established by Morris in 2000, is a prominent megachurch with multiple locations in the Dallas area and a large congregation. Morris, known for his political involvement, was part of former President Donald Trump's evangelical advisory board and hosted Trump at the church's Dallas campus in 2020 for discussions on various topics.
The board's decision to accept Morris' resignation and conduct an independent review reflects their commitment to addressing the allegations and ensuring transparency in handling the situation. The church community and the public await further developments as the investigation progresses.
